Kendrick Lamar’s ‘DAMN.’ Earns Pulitzer

A monumental day for the Compton rapper.

Kendrick Lamar has enjoyed a highly respected, decorated career so far at 30-years-old. From multi-platinum plaques to Grammy Awards, Kung Fu Kenny has a crowded mantle at home. Today, he adds perhaps his most impressive achievement to the collection: a Pulitzer Prize for his critically-acclaimed 2017 album, DAMN..

Typically reserved for classical artists and jazz musicians, Kendrick joins the likes of Du Yun and MacArthur Fellow Julia Wolfe. However, his award is a little different from these contemporaries–Kendrick has become the first hip-hop artist to win the Pulitzer.

On their website, Pulitzer describes DAMN. as “a virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.”

Truly, this is a historic day for Kendrick and for hip-hop.